Adding new NIC to host

[mfair]

I need to add a new dual port NIC to my existing hosts. (Adding HP NC360t PCIe card to HP DL585 G2.)

I am doing this to provide a dedicated vSwitch and uplinks for a Medical imaging application.

My question is this: How will this effect my current networking set-up. Will ESX re-number the existing NIC's when it boots back up or will they retain their vmnic number?

Thanks,

Mike

[Kevin_Gao · Accepted solution]

NIC's are actually discovered by their bus number:

http://communities.vmware.com/message/214577#214577

If you have been adding in the NIC's in a consecutive order and you don't swap the exist pnics around; then the vmnic number shouldn't change.

[mfair]

Good info, thanks. From the HP specs it looks like I will be OK.

Thanks,

Mike

[BUGCHK]

> the vmnic number shouldn't change.

Right. That's what I have seen as well.

However, when you do a new installation, the assignments can change.